Hydraulic cutting-machine.



Patented'fi c t. 7, I902.

W. J. BFHDGEB.

HYDRAULIC CUTTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 28, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

fir

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

XVILLIAM J. BRIDGER, OF PHOENIX MILLS, NEW YORK.

HYDRAULlC CUTTING-MACHINE.

SEECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,837, dated October 7, 1902. Application filed December 28, 1901. SerialNoi 87,562. (No model.)

To LU whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. BRIDGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phoenix Mills, in the county of Otsego and State of New York, have invented new and useful improvements in Hydraulic CuttingMachineS, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a hydraulic cutting-machine; and the object of the same is to provide a sim ple and effective organization of: parts, including a worksupport, which is moved by hydraulic pressure, a fixed cutter to efficiently form patterns or other outlines, the said work-supporthavinga positive movement to produce a clean cut, and also particularly a device for minimizing the expense of operation by utilizing the water power or pressure of a municipality or other locality.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side cleva-.

tion of ahydraulic cutting-machine embodying the features of theinvention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4: is a horizontal section on the line 4 l, Fig. 2, also looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a cylinder, preferably formed of cast-iron, having a closed bottom 2, with solid projections 3 at diametrically opposite points to receive the lower nutted ends of side rods l. The upper ends of the rods 4 are also secured by nuts to a cross-head 5, located at a suitable distance above the upper end of the cylinder 1, and from the center portion of the bottom of the said cross-head a socket-casting 6 depends and receives a shank or stem '7 of a cutter 8, said shank or stem being held in the casting by a set-bolt 9. The cutter may be of any preferred form and pattern, and in the present instance comprises a body 10, having a lower cutting element 11. V

The inside of the cylinder 1 is bored to receive a hollow plunger 12, which is lathed l and fitted on the outside with a packing 13 to provide an air-tight joint in relation to the inner surface of the cylinder 1. The bottom of the plunger 12 is completely open and the top ll closed, the said top being constructed to provide a work-support, and thereon is placed a layer or block of hard wood,-fiber, or rawhide to prevent the element 11 of the cutterfrom contacting with the metal of the said work-support or top 14, and thus avoid injury to the edge of the element 11. Rising from opposite portions of the top or work-so pport ll are tubular guides 15, and thereinto movably depend opposite guide-rods 16, hav ing adjustable screw-threaded engagement with the cross-head5 at points inside of the rods Lthe rods 16 beingpositively held in their adjusted positions by jam-nuts 17, brought firmly to bear against the underside of the said cross-head. Between the upper ends of the tubular guides 15 and the;jam-nuts 17 and surrounding the rods 16 are helical springs 18, which operate to restore the plunger 12 to normal position within the cylinder 1 when the pressure is relieved from the latter. The proportions and adjustment of the rods 16 relatively to the tubular guides 15 is such that when the work on the top or work-support 14 has been cut by the cutter 8 the lower ends of the rods 16 will contact with the lower terminals of the sockets 15, and thereby the plunger will be restrained or prevented from having upward movement beyond a predetermined elevation irrespective of the power introduced within the cylinder 1, and thus avoid injury to the parts comprised in the organization of cooperating. elements without accurate attention on the part of the operator, who may not shut elf the pressure medium until after the plunger has risen to its maximum elevation. The vertical elevation of the plunger may be regulated to operate in connection with differentthicknesses of material disposed thereon by adjusting the rods 16. Furthermore, the movement of the plunger is steadied by the use of said rod 10 and the tubular guides 15.

A conduit 19 is employed to supply the cylinder 1 and the plunger -12 with the pressure medium, said conduit having one terminal passing through the center of the closed ICO bottom or bottom plate 2. This conduit also embodies a three-Way valve 20, having a stem 21 rising from the upper portion thereof, to which a suitable operating device may be applied and extend upwardly within convenient reaching distance of the operator. When this valve 20 is turned in one direction, water under pressure will be admitted through the conduit 19 into the cylinder 1 and plunger 12, this admission of the water under pressure continuing until the plunger is fully elevated. After the plunger 12 has reached its maximum elevation and the cutting operation has been performed the operator then turns the valve 20 in an opposite direction, and by so doing shuts off the ingress of the water and throws the conduit 19 into comm unication with an outlet 22, and by this means the water within the cylinder 1 and the plunger 12 will be permitted to escape and said plunger be forced downwardly into the cylinder by the springs 18.

While water under, pressure has been referred to as the operating medium, it will be understood that other liquids might be used and well-known mechanisms employed for instituting the pressure on said liquid and the same quantity of liquid be successively used without material Waste of time.

The device as shown is supported by suitable legs 23; but it will be understood that it can be equally well disposed on a bench or table, and, furthermore, changes in the'proportions, dimensions, form, and minor details may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention.

The present machine is also preferably constructed of suitable cast metal with a View to strength and durability; but it will also be understood that other materials may be used in some instances.

Having thus described the invention,what is claimed as new is 1. In a cutting-machine of the class set forth, the combination of a cylinder having a closed bottom and an open top, a hollow plunger within'the cylinder having an open bottom and a closed top to provide an upper work-support, a cutter fixed in position above the cylinder and plunger, means for supplying a pressure medium to the bottom portions of the cylinder and plunger to elevate the latter in operative relation to the cutter, the plunger being provided with opposite sockets, stationary rods to enter said sockets, and spring surrounding said rods, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a machine of the class set forth, the combination of a hollow plunger having a top work-support and tubular guides at diametrically opposite points, a support above the plunger, depending guiding devices adjustably held by the said support and engaging the said tubular guides, a cutter secured to the support, and means for supplying a pressure medium to the plunger.

3. In a machine of the class set forth, the combination of a plunger having an upper work-support and opposite tubular guides, a supporting device above the plunger, rods adjustably depending from the said supporting device and engaging the tubular guides and plunger, springs surrounding the said rods, a cutter held in fixed position by the supporting device, and means for supplying a pressure medium to the plunger.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IVILLIAM J. BRIDGER.

\Vitnesses:

HARRIS L. OooKE, LEE F. WHITBECK. 

